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The 12 Steps To Staying Sober During The Holidays

Staying sober during the holiday season can be difficult, especially for those in recovery from drug and alcohol addictions. The holiday season is the best time for practicing alcoholics, due to the amount of drinking that comes along with the season. Due to the alcoholic’s behavior and consumption, during the holiday season it could appear to be normal. Here at The Watershed, it is our job to help you all find a new way of life and live clean and sober. We want staying sober on Christmas and New Years to be a walk in the park and as comfortable as it can be for all of you.

The 12 Steps To Staying Sober For The Holidays

In early recovery, many emotions- such as anxiety, loneliness, anger, depression, etc…may come into play and possibly trigger you into wanting to drink or use. Apart from working a program of recovery and developing coping skills to all of the emotions that come with early sobriety, especially during the holiday season, the twelve-steps to staying sober for the holidays may help you break down this time and give you clarity.

Step 1: We admitted that we cannot stay sober alone and asked for help from family and friends.

Step 2: Came to believe that living one day at a time could ensure a sober Christmas.

Step 3: Made a decision to stay away from our old stomping grounds.

Step 4: Make a searching and fearless gratitude list.

Step 5: Admitted to ourselves and someone else if we were experiencing H.A.L.T.

Step 6: Were entirely ready to create new traditions to replace our old habits.

Step 7: Humbly volunteered to feed the homeless.

Step 8: Made a list of all sober supports to call whenever possible.

Step 9: Made a direct plan for each day of the holiday season, and to stay busy.

Step 11: Sought through exercise and meditation to improve our holiday season by staying sober.

Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we wrote letters to ourselves on staying sober during the holidays, which could help other struggling alcoholics and addicts.

Send Us Your “Staying Sober During the Holidays” Letters

We at The Watershed encourage you to practice these steps when staying sober for this holiday season, and then share with us how you did it! In addition to these twelve-steps, it’s important to learn how to deal with loneliness and how to cope with grief. The holidays could be a depressing time for some people, for many different reasons. If you or someone you know is struggling and need to talk to someone, please give us a call today. No one needs to struggle or be alone for the holidays, and we are here to help. We wish you all a happy holiday season and hope it’s a safe one.